Emory head volleyball coach Jenny McDowell has announced that the following student-athletes will be attending Emory in the fall of 2015 and be competing for the Eagles' program.
"We are extremely excited about our 2015 recruiting class," McDowell said. "These young women bring a wealth of experience, skill, and knowledge of the game to our program. Not only are they great students and players, but they are fantastic people that understand the special culture and tradition of Emory Volleyball. I am confident they are going to accomplish magnificent things during their four years at Emory."
Mady Arles (S, 5-11, Richmond, VA/St. Catherine's HS) -- Four-year starter for the St. Catherine's program where she was coached by Brendan Kennedy … Served as team captain her junior and senior campaigns … Closed out her career as the school's all-time leader with 1,598 assists … Doled out 570 assists and registered 59 service aces in helping her team to a League of Independent Schools championship … Earned all-league distinction on three occasions … All-Tournament Team at the 2014 Richmond Volleyball Showcase … Member of the Richmond Volleyball Club where she was mentored by Curtis Carpenter.
Mila Barzdukas (DS, 5-6, Studio City, CA/Harvard-Westlake HS) – Four-year product of the Harvard-Westlake volleyball program … Was coached by Adam Black … Served as team captain her senior season … Second Team All-Mission League honoree in 2014 … Recipient of her team's Best Defender Award her final season … Helped Harvard-Westlake to three league titles … All-Tournament selection at the Redondo Power Classic , regarded as one of the premier high school tournaments in Southern California … Member of the 2013 squad that advanced to the CIF Division I Finals … Three-year member and two-year starter on the beach volleyball team … Competed four seasons in track and field in the pole vault … Played club volleyball at LAVA and was captain of the 18's team … Club coaches were TG Pierce and Beau Daniels … 17's team finished third at two Junior Olympic Qualifiers and fifth at AAU's.
Becky Breuer (DS, 5-10, Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley HS) – Played four years of volleyball at Waubonsie Valley High School under the guidance of head coach Kristen Didier … Was a co-captain of the 2014 squad … Pounded out 196 kills and registered 227 digs her final season … Upstate Eight All-Conference honoree in 2013 and 2014 … Two-time selection to the DuPage County All-Area Team … Helped her team to a regional title in 2013 and a spot in the regional finals in 2012 and 2014 … Member of the Club 1 Volleyball Club where she was coached by Brie Isaacson … AAU Academic All-American … PrepVolleyball.com Academic All-American … JVA All-American Watch List in 2015.
Karissa Dzurik (OH, 5-11, Columbia, PA/Hempfield HS) – Four-year member of the Hempfield High School volleyball program where she played for Andrew Olree … As a senior, she captured PIAA All-State honors after helping her team to an overall record of 23-1 that included a berth in the Class AAA Finals … Team leader with 370 kills and doled out 66 service aces … PIAA District 3 First Team All-Star … First Team All-Lancaster-Lebanon League … PennLive Big 15 First Team … Played on the 2012 and 2013 teams at Hempfield that captured Class AAA state crowns … Played club volleyball for J-Stroke and was coached by Jason Grove.
Mira Grinsfelder (OH/RS, 5-10, St. Paul, MN/Saint Paul Academy and Summit School) – Member of the St. Paul Academy and Summit School volleyball program … Was coached by Jim Abbott … Two-time team captain … Four-time selection to the Independent Metro Athletic All-Conference Team … 2014 Under Armour Watch List … Played club volleyball for Mizuno Northern Lights where she was coached by Walt Weaver … Captured All-America honors as a club player and helped her teams to one national title and one runner-up finish … Recipient of Northern Lights' 2015 Maurice Batie Award.
Yasmeen Johnson (MH, 6-0, Mundelein, IL/Mundelein HS) – Saw four years of action as a member of the Mundelein High School program … Was coached by George Dressen … Team captain as a junior and senior … Totaled 143 kills, 155 blocks and 105 digs her final season … During her junior campaign, she racked up 221 terminations and 98 blocks … Earned High Honor Roll recognition and was a National Honor Society member while at Mundelein … Played club volleyball for Sky High where she was coached by Scott Harris.
Sydney Leimbach (MH, 6-2, Atlanta, GA/Marist HS) – Local product who played four years of volleyball at Marist High School … Was coached by Kendall Crum … As a senior, she was named the state's Class AAAA Player of the Year after helping Marist to a state championship, finishing the year with an overall slate of 36-10 … Blasted away for 377 kills, hit .409 and totaled 102 blocks her final season … Honorable Mention All-American as picked by PrepVolleyball.com … Selected as team MVP and won her program's Team Scholar Athlete award her final season … Named to all-state and all-area teams, 2013-15 … Helped the 2013 squad to a runner-up finish in the Class AAAA State Tournament … AP Scholar with honors … Member of the National Honor Society … French Honor Society … Also competed in basketball and track and field while at Marist … Played club volleyball for Tsunami where she was coached by Joe Goodson.
Carly Saitman (S/RS, 5-10, Hidden Hills, CA/Sierra Canyon HS) – Competed on the varsity volleyball team at Sierra Canyon High School for four seasons … Was coached by Stefanie Wigfall … Served as team co-captain her junior and senior seasons … Pounded out 213 kills her final campaign en route to earning first team all-league honors … Doled out close to 1,000 assists as a junior … Selected as team MVP … Student Athlete of the Year Award winner at SCHS ... National Honors Society … Four-year member of the soccer team and helped that squad to CIF and state regional titles … Competed on the Sunshine Volleyball Club and the 17's and 18's Westside … Ryan Carey and Eileen Hiss were her club coaches.
Samantha Sestanovich (OH, 5-11, Manhattan Beach, CA/Mira Costa HS) –Four-year member of the volleyball program at Mira Costa High School … Played under coaches Lisa Arce Zimmerman and Hayley Lawson … Recipient of her school's Scholar Athlete Award on four occasions … Also competed in sand volleyball as a prep … Competed for the Sunshine Volleyball Club